Bag



May 9 1939- R. J wlLLlAMs 2,157,392

BAG

Filed Sept. 9, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented May 9, 1939 i. aac l aussen J. Williams, st. una, Mo., miglior so Bemis Bro. Bag Co.. St.

tion of Missouri Louis, Mo., a `corpora-- Application september 9, 1937, Serin No. l162,989

- 'z claims. (c1. 22a-55) i Fig.V 12 is an isometric view of a lled, closed4 h .i This invention relates to bags generally, and.

with `regard to certain multip1y, paper bags.

more specific features, to

which, despite the fact that they are formedof paper whichis itself flexible, present when lled "a rigid appearance resembling that. of pasteboard` .or cardboardboxes, cartons, or the like; the provision of a paper bag of the class-described which is not likely to bulge or become curved in itscontours when vit is filled; `the provision of l apaperbag of theiclassdescribed, which, while "it is formed of'` flexible materials. is` provided with relatively stiifened or rigid regions,` which regions, however, aredisposed so as not to interfere with the proper folding of the bag, as for filling the same;` theprovision of a bag ofthe class described which is readily closed and sealed: and the provision of a bag of the class described `which is relatively simple and economical to man- `ufacture. Other objects will bein part obvious and inpartfpo'inted out hereinafter.l f

The invention accordingly comprises the ele'- ments and `combinations of elements, features of will be exemplified inthe structures hereinafter described, andthe scope `oi the application of which will be indicated inthe following claims. In the accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated several of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of abag blank, one of the plies `i the blankbeing in part laid -aside to show the interior construction;

i Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are `enlarged cross-sections taken substantially along lines 2 2, 3-3`and l--4, respectively of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of theblank of Fig 1,` after a tubing operation has ,been performed thereon; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the `blankof Figures 1 and 5 after a bottom-forming operation, and represents a completed bag prior to the illlin'g and closing thereof; i i

Fig. `'l' is an isometric view of a fllledbag made in accordance with the present invention, showing the closed top of the bag;

Fig, 8 is an isometric view similar to'` Fig. 7, `but showingthe closed bottomof the bag;

Fig.` 9 is a plan view of a blank for another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the reverse side of the blank of Fig. 9; Fig. l1 is a plan view of a. blank of still another '55` embodiment of the invention; and,

` Among the several objects of the invention may 5 'be `noted the provision of multi-ply paperbags `for shipment.

construction, and arrangements of parts which bag made from'the Fig.` 11 type of blank.

Similar `reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. Throughout the several views of the'drawings, relatively long dashed lines are used to indicate told lines, while relatively short dashed `lines indicate invisible edges. etc. Stippling is used to indicate adhesive areas.

An objection to paper bags for material packaging, particularly such materials as are dispen'sed' in relatively-small, household quantities, has always Abeen that said bags bulge intoovate and similarrounded forms when` they are filled.

Bulging bags ofthis character not only fall prop erly to display the printed legendsV thereon, but arel also difficult to handle on stock shelves and are diiiicult to package in larger containers, as Furthermore, such bags, as the contents are used therefrom, have a tendency tents are removed.` 1

It is a primary objectA of the present invention toV provide a paper bag, which, although it is made to collapse as Vprogressively more oi the conof the-flexible materials ordinarily employed in I bag'manufacture, it' is nevertheless so strengthened-in predetermined areas thereof,` that the ilnished bag, when iilled, exhibits the rigid, rec tangular,`nonbulging characteristics of a paste `V'boardlor light cardboard'bex orcartomand w which, furthermore, does not collapse as the com tents are progressively removed therefrom.

Generally speaking, this object is accomplished inthe present invention by making abagof a multi-ply construction, with predetermined relatively large areas of stiiiening adhesive positioned between the plies in such manner that, when the bag is iinally folded up and fllled, said stiffened areas constitute the bounding walls of the bag.

i It has heretofore been proposed to use areas of stiffening adhesive in connection with the i.

mouth portions of multi-ply paper bags. See, ,forexample the patent of Louis J. `Finn and Arnold N. Weeks, No. 2,092,602, dated September -7, `193'?. However, in no case oi which I am aware has an adhesive region been used for stiii'ening the `froninback, and sides of a paper bag. i

Referring now `more particularly to Fig. there is illustrated a blank for making up a paper bag in accordance with the present invention. The blank is of multiply construction, compris ing, in the embodiment illustrated, a rectangular sheet i, which is to become the outer or covering surface of the bag. and a superimposed` rec tangular sheet 2 Awhich is to become the inner surface of the bag. The sheets I and 2 are adhesively secured together by means of adhesive material applied at predetermined areas, more fully to be described hereinafter. It is to be understood, however, that both. sheets I and 2 are relatively ilexible paper material, such as is customarily used for bag-making purposes, and are not pasteboard or cardboard or other rigid materials of the type ordinarily used for making cartons or boxes. For greatest economy of manu' facture, it is advisable that the outer sheet I, which is the paper sheet that will be displayed inthe finished bag, be of a relatively lightweight character, while the inner sheet 2 may be made heavier in order to provide the necessary strength for the composite blank. 'Ihis is because the outer or exposed paper is usually of a much more expensive character than the inner or liner paper, which may ordinarily be of a relatively cheap character. For example, I have satisfactorily used for the outer layer, a finished paper of thirty-pound weight, while the inner layer is a sixty-pound kraft material, of a relatively cheap character.

In assembling the two layers I and 2 together in multi-ply arrangement, the lateral edges of the two sheets are somewhat displaced in order to provide overlap regions. Numeral 3 indicates the region where the outer paper ply I overlaps the inner paper ply 2, while numeral 4 similarly indicates the overlap of the inner paper ply 42 over the outer paper ply I. As will appear hereinafter, the overlap 4 is not absolutely necessary. That is to say, one overlapis enough to accom`- plish the desired end. It is to be understood that the term overlap herein is synonymous with the term extension. 'Ihat is, the overlaps 3 and 4 are also in the nature of extensions.

From the lower edge of the compositeblank, at a predetermined suitable location, extends a semicircular tab i, which is desirable lnorder that thel bag may be folded and formed in certain available bag-making apparatus,` such as the type shown and described, for example, in Belcher et al. Patent 2,088,228 dated July 27, 1937. As the blanks in question are ordinarily cut successively from relatively endless webs of paper, the semi-circular tab 5 from the preceding blank provides a notch of semi-circular contour, indicated by numeral 6, in the top edge of each succeeding blank. T'he notch i, however, is without particular utility in connection with the blank of the present invention.

It will be understood that the exact form of tab is unimportant in thepresent invention, and that it may even be entirely eliminated, as in the case of bags made on certain machinery which does not require it for thefolding. operations.

Fold lines, which may or may not actuallyl be present in the blank as it is commercially manufactured, or which may comprise merely suitable indicating marks on the blank, are provided to divide the blank into a plurality of separate panels or regions.

Numeral 'i indicates a front panel, which is bounded at its sides by fold lines 8 and 9 extendlng from the top to the bottom of the blank, at its top by a fold line III which extends from side to side ofthe blank, and at its bottom by fold line I I, which likewise extends from side to side of the blank. Numeral I2 similarly indicates a back panel, which is bounded at its sides by fold lines I3 and I4, extending from top to bottom of the blank, at its top by fold line I0, and at its b0ttom by fold line II. The iront I and back I2 are interchangeable, it will be understood, and either panel I or l2 may be the front or back of the finished bag. A rectangular panel I5, bounded at its side by the fold. lines 9 and I3, and4 at its top and bottom by the fold lines I0 and II, respectively. constitutes'pnef side of the bag, and is centrally divided by a fold line I6, which extends from the top to thebottom of the blank. 'Ihe panel I1, which is bounded at its sides by the fold line I4 and the right-hand edge I8 of the blank, and at its top and bottom by its fold lines I0 and Il respectively, constitutes the other side of'the bag, and is likewise centrally divided by a fold line I9 extending from the top to the bottom of the blank. The panel 2,0, which is bounded at its side by the fold line 8 and the left-hand edge 2I of the blank,'and at its top and bottom by the fold lines i0 and II, respectively, is about one-half the width of a side of the bag, and, in the assembled bags, overlaps and is secured to a part of the side panel Il.

All material in the blank above the fold line I0 ultimately forms the top closure of the bag, while all material of the blank below the fold line II similarly forms the bottom closure of the bag. Among the elements or portions going to form the top closure of the bag may be noted the rectangular panels 22 and 23, respectively surmounting the front panel 1 and back panel l2 of the blank.- The panel 22 is bounded by the upper edge of the blank, and by the fold lines 8, 9 and III, while the panel 23 is similarly bounded by the upper edge of the blank, and by the fold lines Ill, I3 and I4. Iintersecting diagonal fold lines 24 and 25 extend across each of the panels 22 and 23, from the respectively lowermost corners thereof, adjacent the fold line Ill. To the left of the panel 22 is a relatively small panel 26, which is bounded by the top edge of the blank, the lateral edge 2I of the blank, and the fold lines 8 and Ill. Between the panels 22 and 23, is a substantially square-shaped panel 21, through the center of which runs the fold line I6. 'I'he panel 21 is bounded by the upper edge of the blank and by the fold lines 9, I0 and i3. To the4 right of the panel 23 is a substantially square panel 28, whichv is centrally divided by the fold line I9. The panel 28 is bounded by the upper edge of the blank, the lateral edge Il ,of the blank, and by the fold lines I0 and I4.

It is to be understood that the intersecting character of fold lines 24 and 25 is only incidental to the particular bag disclosed, and that the invention may be carried out with non-intersecting lines at this point.

The lower or bottom closure of the bag is made up of panels lying below the fold line II in Fig. 1. Among these panels, numerals 29 and 30 indicate rectangular panels that respectively underlie the front panel 'i and back panel I2 of the blank. Panel 29` is defined by the lower edge of the blank, and by parts of the fold lines 8, 9 and I I, while panel 30 is similarly defined by the lower edge of the blank, and by the fold lines il, I3 and I4 (Fig. l). A pai'r of slots 3| are provided in each of the panels 29 and30, said slots running perpendicularly inwardly from the lower edge of the blank to the fold lines 36, 31, 38 and 39. A tab 32 is thus provided in the panel 29 between the pair of slots 3i therein, while a similar tab 33 is likewise provided in the panel 30. A fold line 34 extends across the tab 32, parallel to the lower edge of the blank and a similar fold line 35 is provided in the tab 33.

A diagonal fold line 36 extendsfrom theupper end of left-hand slot 3| in panel 29, through the point of intersection of fold lines 8 and \II,`

to the left-handledge 2| of the blank. From the inner end of the right-hand slot 3I in panel `29 extends, diagonally, a fold line 31, which intersects the point of intersection of fold lines 9 and II, and which terminates at the fold line I5. i A similar diagonal fold line 38 extends from the inner edge of left-hand slot 3| in panel 30, through the intersection of fold lines II and I3, to a point i on the fold line I6, where it intersects the diagonal foldline 31. Still another diagonal fold line 39 extends from the top of the right-hand slot intimated, is one of the principal .features of the present invention, A broad area 4I of adhesive,

iorexample, is positioned between the two plies in theregion `of the front panel 1. The area 4I extends, at its top, all the way to the fold line I9, but the area 4I `terminates just short of the fold lines 8, 9 and II, thus providing narrow regions 42, 43, and 44, respectively, between the adhesive area 4I andrespective fold lines 9, 9 and I I, which are free of adhesive andv thus merely two plies of flexible paper held in juxtaposition.

Numeral 45 indicates a similar broad adhesive area, which is positioned between the plies of panel 20, and which extends from the fold line II) downwardly almost to the fold line 36, and laterally `from the left-hand edge of ply I almost to the fold line 8. From the area 45, a narrow stripe 46` extends upwardly along the edge of the ply I to the top of the blank, and a similar stripe 41 extends downwardly along the edge of the ply I through substantially the entire verticalv length of the panel between the fold lines 8 and II. The stripe 41 at its lower end turns sharply to the right, as indicated at numeral 48, and

` extends along the bottom edge of the blank, albeit spaced therefrom a short distance, to a point just short of the fold line 8.

An adhesive area 49 is provided between the i plies and 2 of the left-hand portion of panel I5, extending from a' position close to the fold line 9 to a position close to the fold line I5, and from the fold line Il) to a position close to the fold line 31. A similar, but oppositely faced adhesive area 50 is provided between the plies I and 2` of the right-hand portion of the panel I5, be-

"vided with adhesive regions 52 and 53, respectively,

which are similar in shape to the adhesived'relgions49 and 50, and which similarly terminate,

iateraumjust short of the fold unes la and Is (and the lateral edge of ply 2), and longitudinally at the fold line I9 and just short of the fold lines 39 andf40, respectively. From the adhesive region 53, a stripe 54 of adhesive extends verticallyv `upwardly to 'the top edge o'fthe blank, While a stripe 55 extends downwardly from along the right-hand edge of ply 2, almost to the bottom of the blank. The stripe 55 then turns sharply to the left, as indicated at numeral B, to terminate just short of the fold line I9. The stripe portions 55 and 56 are thus similar, but oppositely faced,` to the striped portions 41- and 48 `at the left-hand side of the blank.

Extendingacross the bottom of the blank, but spaced therefrom at a short distance, are a series of disconnected spots ofadhesive. Numeral 51 indicates a small spot of adhesivethat is positioned along the lower edge of panel 29, to the left of the-left-hand slot 3|. lNumeral 58 indicates a spot of adhesive that is positioned in the panel 29, between the right-hand slot 3| and the fold `line 9. Numerals 59 and 60 indicate short stripesof adhesive that are positioned along the lower edge of the blank between fold lines 9 and I6, and I6 and I3, respectively, terminating just short of said foldlines. Numeral BI indicates a spot of adhesive that is positioned between the fold lines `I3 and the left-hand slot 3| in panel 39. Numeral 62 indicates a spot of adhesive that is positioned between the right-hand slot 3| and the fold line I4, along the lower yedge of panel 39. Numerali63 indicates a short stripe of adhesive that extends along the lower edge of the blank between the fold lines I4 and I9, terminating just short of said fold lines.

Between the plies of the tab portions 32 and 33 of panels29 and 30, respectively, there are positioned rectangular frame-shaped areas of adhesive indicated respectively by numerals 64 and 65. The frames 64 and `55 terminate just short of their respective slots` 3|, and include nonadhesived regions 66 and 6,1, respectively'which extend on either side of the fold lines 34 and 35.

blank, in the respectively adhesived regions, is

relatively as rigid as a. pasteboard, or light card- `board. `For convenience, the same adhesive is used at the regions (i4` and 65 (in the bag bottom) as is used for stiffening the sides, but it is to be understood that if this point of convenience be waived, `it might be preferable that this adhesive be of a differentv nature, as for instance a more flexible adhesive. i

In order to prevent the two plies I and 2 from coming apart along the length of the top edge of the blank, it is preferable to provide a number -of small spots 68 of adhesive near said top edge.

By reference to Fig.` l, it will be 'seen that in substantially not instance does a large adhesive. area extend across a fold line. On the contrary, the adhesive areas are, in general, stopped short of fold lines,so that fold lines are located along the flexible, non-adhesive portions of the plies I and 2.` This facilitates later folding of the blank to a nnished bag.

The paste or adhesive may be applied to one or the other of the plies in assembling the multiply blank either,v manually,` or by any suitable automatic means, suchas a rotary cylinder resembling a printing press cylinder, having raised portions corresponding to the various areas to be provided with adhesive. In such a procedure,

4the adhesive `is applied to one of the plies, and

the other ply is then juxtaposed to `the adhesived ply, and the composite structure passed between a. pair of pressing rollers or other suitable mechanism to provide for firm, smooth adherence between the plies.

After the blank has been prepared in the mani l, it is next foiderl into or. in being termed tubing the mank. Usually said tubing is accomplished by automatic machinery available for this purpose. The tubing is brought about by folding the blank along the fold line i6, with the liner ply! on the inside, thus positioning the left-hand edge 2l of the blank over the' fold line I9. 'Ihe righthand edge of the blank is then folded back on the already folded blank along fold lines I9,A s'o that the right-hand portion of panel I1 overlaps the panel 20. A suitable adhesive (not shown in the drawing) is applied between the right-hand portion loi panel I1 and panel 20, in order to secure the blank in tubular form. As thus made up into a. tube, the blank assumes the fomx illustrated in Fig. 5, By reason of the overlapping end-portions 9 of the cover ply I, said cover ply provides a clean Joint on the outer surface of the bag'.

The next step in forming the bag comprises subjecting the tubular blank of Fig. 5 to a series 'of bottom-forming operations, which are described in detail in Belcher et al. Patent 2,088,228, dated July 27, i937. Broadly, this operation comprises collapsing inwardly, along diagonal fold` lines 36, 31, 38 and 39, the two lower corners of the tubular blank, as indicated in Fig. 5 by numerals 69 and 10, and thereafter juxtaposing, and pasting together the'two tabs 32 and 33 o f the bottom panels 29 and 30. Since the sequence of operation for forming the bottom in this manner is described in great detail in the aforesaid Belcher patent, it is not repeated herein. After the bottom is thus formed, the blank has the appearance shown in Fig. 6, in which condition it is ready to receive the material to be contained therein, In general, bags according to the present invention are supplied to the packager in the form illustrated in Fig'. 6.

For use, the bag is first brought to rectangular forni by expanding it from the Fig. 6 form. This expanding is performed by flattening the side rls h1 and i9 and at the same time bringing corner folds 8, 9, i3 and i4, to right-angular pcs; ons, meanwhile pressing out the bottom corners of the bag to complete the rectangular shape bjf frriding said corners along fold lines il and oi al .gcnal fold lines 36, 31, 30, 39 and B0. As thus expanded, the bag has a rigid, rectangular shone provided by the rigid, reenforced front and back panels 1 and i2, respectively, and the ri r. reenforced side panels I5 fand i1. The bag is now filled through the open top thereof. The rigidity of the adhesively reenforced panel is such that, as it is filled, the bag undergoes no bulging whatsoever, but retains its regular shape.

After the bag as thus described has been filled, the top ls-closed in a more or less usual manner by first collapsing in the sides of the top, constltuting panels 21 and 29, by ,folding them inwardly along horizontal fold line I0 and respective diagonal fold lines 24 and 25, and thereafter by folding down the triangular remaining portions of panels 22 and 23 in overlapping arrangement. The closure as thus provided is illustrated in Fig. '7, while Fig. 8 similarly shows the disposition of the various portions at the bottom of the bag, when the bag is in it's filled condition. The top closure means are secured together, of course, by means of properly applied adhesive material.

The thus-completed, filled bag is a rigidv structure, fully resembling a box or similar container alemana rather than a bag. At the same time, it has all of the advantages of bags as contrasted with boxes.

In order to facilitate folding down the top of the finished bag, in making the top closure, it is advisable that the fold line i Il actually be a score line as indicated in Fig. 4, which is an enlarged cross-section indicated by the numeral l0.

Numerous modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in Figs. 9 and 10 is shown a form of blank which is alternative to thebiank of Fig. l. The principal distinction of the blank of Figs. 9 and 10 is that the adhesive areas are, respectiveiycarried directly up to and over the several fold lines, rather tha'n terminating short thereof as in the Fig. 1 embodiment. In order, then, to provide for ready folding in the proper locations, the blank is provided with a plurality of score lines indicated generally in Fig. 10 by numeral 12, which score lines overlie their respective fold lines and thus break down theadjacent adhesive and make the blank properly foldable at the proper location, when it is formed into a bag. An advantage of the embodiment of Figs. 9 and l0 over the embodiment of Fig. l is that the corners of the finished, filled bag are more rigid (longitudinally considered) as they are reenforced in the same manner as the front, back and sides of the bag'. Thus the corners act as relatively free hinges.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. i1, a dfferent form of top closure is disclosed. In this embodiment, the adhesive, which is similar to the embodiment of Figs. 9 and 10 insofar as the extension of the adhesive over the fold lines is concerned, is continued clear to the top of the bag blank, thus providing for reenforcement of the top, as well as the front, back and sides of the bag. The diagonal fold lines 24 and 25 are omitted from this embodiment, and instead thereof there are provided a series of slots 13 extending perpendicularly inwardly from the upper edge of the blank to the fold line l0. These slots 13 respectively, relieve the panels 22, 22. 26, 21 and 29 fromeach other. After the blank of Fig. l1 has been tubed and the bottom formed in the manner heretofore described, and the bag has been expanded and-filled, the top closure is effected first by bending in the panels 21 and 28 along these fold lines I0, and then on top thereof in overlapping relation, folding in the panels 22 and 2l. The resultant closure is similar to that in current use for pasteboard boxes and the like, and isshown in completed form in Fig. 12. Ordinarily, this closure is'V not as leak-proof 'as is the closure disclosed in the previous embodiments, but with the addition of a suitable insert material, such' as a properly folded sheet of waxed paper, it may satisfactorily be used for the packaging of many types of materials.

It will be seen that each of the plies used in all forms of the invention continues around the girth of the bag. This provides substantial girth strength while at the same time satisfactory hinge characteristics inhere. Also, the folded top and bottom vclosures are formed from plies -which are continuous with the plies in-the girth portion of the bag, and thus further add to the strength by reason of the integralness of the various plies.

In all of the embodiments of the invention disclosed, the liner paper may, for certain purposes, be made of a water, grease, or `oil-proof character. Furthermore, this liner paper may itself be multiple-ply; that is, the layer 4or ply which is shown and indicated by numeral 2 in Fig. l, may

.of ilexible Cellophane windows, indicator` slots,

pouring spouts, or the like. e

It is considered that at least lone important feature of the` invention is in theAfact that said front, back and sides of a bag are sufficiently stiil'ened to give the carton-like appearance and function when lled, without the disadvantages of providing such a carton, and this feature will l inhere even with the use of relatively small areas of flexible windows, bands, or the like, which do not defeat the stiifening functions of the stiiened areas herein referred to.

The invention applies to various types of bags. For example, the bags shown employ edge con-V structions ,which extend outwardly when the bag is unfilled, whereas the invention also appliesto bags wherein the edge constructions are formed as inward, intucked gussets when the bag is unillle'd. Other adaptations of the invention will be obvious to one `skilled in this art.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achievedand other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

i 1. A multi-ply bag comprising relatively flexible individual plies, said bag having4 a rectangular form when expanded, providingV a front panel, a back panel and side panels, each ply being continuous around the girth of' the bag, areas of stiifening adhesive between the plies substantially through the entire areas of `said front, back and side panels, and folded top and bottom closures for said bag, said closures being provided with flexible, and foldable regions in suitable locations for folding the closures to closing positions and being formed `from plies which are also continuous with the plies in the girth portion of the bag.

2. A multi-ply bag comprising` relatively exible individual plies, said bag being made from a tubular form and comprising a front panel, a

i back panel, side panels between said front and i tioned fold lines, and stiffening adhesive between the plies of said bag and extending substantially throughout the areas of each of said panels, but

stopping just short of the fold lines mentioned, whereby said -fold lines occur along regions of i non-adhesively-stiffened, iiexible ply material.

3. yA multi-ply bag comprising relatively flexible 'individual plies. said bag being made from a tubular form and comprising a front panel, a back l panel, side panels between said front and back panels, said plies each being continuous around the girth portion of that part of the tubular. form which provides said front, back and side panels, a bottom' closure, and a topclosure, said closures being formed from plieswhich are continuous with the plies of the girth portion, fold lines between all of the adjacent panels and additional fold lines substantially in the centers of the side panels and parallel to said iirst-mentioned fold lines, and stiiening adhesive between the plies of said bag and extending substantially throughout the areas of each of said panels, each of said fold lines comprising score lines in at least one of said plies, said adhesive extending across said fold lines.

4. A multi-ply bag comprisingla plurality of relatively flexible individual plies comprising a iront panel, a back panel, and side panels, a closed bottom closure, and an open top closure, all plies of each front, back or side panel being continuous with the plies of said bottom and top closures, and stiifening adhesive between atleast two oi.- the plies substantially throughout the entire area of said front, back and side panels,

said panels being relatively hinged whereby a carton-like appearance is effected upon filling, said bottom closure being left flexible lenough to permit the bag to lie ilat and folded while empty.

5. A,multiply bag comprising a plurality of relatively ilexible individual plies, said bag being made of a tubular form comprisinga front panel,

`a back panel; side panels between said front and back panels, a closed bottom closure, and an open top closure, all plies of the front, back or side panels being continuous with the plies of said bottom and top closures, areas of stiiening adhesive between at least two of the plies substantially throughout the entire areas of said front, back and side panels, said bottom and top closures having only relatively limited areas of adhesive between plies therein. e e

6. A multi-ply bag comprising a plurality of relatively flexible individual plies, said bag being made of a tubular form comprising a front panel, a back panel, side panels betweensaid front and back panels, a closed bottom closure, and an open top closure, all plies of the iront, back or side panels being continuous with the plies of said bottom and top closures, areas of stiffening adhesive between atleast two of the plies substantially throughout the entire areas of said front, back and side panels, said bottom closure having at most a relatively limited area of adhesive between plies which areas do not substantially interfere with' its flexiblity, whereby the bag may be shipped ilat with a closed bottom.

v'1. A multifply bag comprising a plurality of relatively flexible individual plies, said bag being made of a tubular form comprising a front panel, aback panel, side panels between said front and back panels, a closed bottom closure, `and an open top closure, `all plies'of any front, back or side` i panel being continuous with the plies of said bottom and top closures, areas of stiiening adhesive between at least two of the plies substantially throughout the entire areaof said front, back and side panels, and throughout substantially the entire area of the top closure, but being positioned throughout only limited portions of the area of said bottom closure.

RUSSELL J. WILLIAMS. 

